Anecdotal accounts of how electronic whiteboards have improved teaching and learning
Dr. Mary Ann Bell, Assistant Professor of Library Science at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas addresses the question: "Why do I like interactive whiteboards so much?"
Learners show increased motivation and enjoy the interaction the technology offers
It makes the subject come alive
It captures the attention of learners
It encourages the involvement of learners in the subject
It enables tutors to use multimedia resources and the internet with a whole class
IT Learning Exchange discusses the educational valueof SMART boards. Argues that "As with all technology, it's how it's used, not the technology itself, that will ultimately determine its value for teaching and learning." http://www.itle.unl.ac.uk/news/archive/0111141.html
The teacher at the front of the class and the whole class engaged together...
It gives the teacher instant access to a vast array of electronic resources...
It enables seamless links to be made between the technology and the subject material...
Teachers are rethinking their approach to teaching...
The flexibility and the scope for imaginative lesson planning is huge...
Pages can automatically be saved and can be printed, emailed or even pasted into a website...
The flipchart files can be updated or merged with other Windows applications...
Mary Ann Bell of Baylor University conducted a study of teachers' use and perceptions regarding the interactive electronic whiteboard as an instructional tool, on the following:
Ease of use
Effectiveness of board as a teaching tool
Students' responses to the Board
Preference of whiteboard to alternative presentation methods
Findings: "All staff who used the Whiteboard were extremely enthusiastic about the possibilities of the technology and a lot were inspired to use ICT more in their lessons and were given confidence by the fact that the Whiteboard was reliable and easy to use."
Full report available athttp://www.mirandanet.ac.uk/pubs/smartboard.htmWhat is uniquely contributed by the interactive whiteboard? In other words, what teaching and learning benefits cannot be achieved with a large display alone?
Findings: "The interactive whiteboard is an effective medium for teacher input to the whole class, and for reviewing the lesson. The teacher is able to present from the front, and is better positioned to observe pupils' response. ... [It is ] an effective support for teacher-led group work
The Aural Enabler: Creating a Way for Special Needs Kids to Participate in the Classroom Lesson Will the SMART Board assist in improving language skills of special needs students, and as a result, stimulate positive participation and retention in classroom activities? Does the SMART Board improve the learning environment for special needs students?
Findings: "The special needs teacher noted that the most significant attribute was the attention and motivation the students had when working with the board. During the course of the study, there was no diminishment in enthusiasm and the students continued to want to complete most tasks using the board. The collaborative interaction within the group improved over time. This sustained motivation and persistence with the use of the board are the two key factors in aiding with learning outcomes.
She noted an increase in the level of participation of all students in both grades. There appeared to be a correlation between the need for modification and the change in the degree of participation by the students."
Gains in Self-Efficacy: Using SMART Board Interactive Whiteboard Technology in Special Education Classrooms E/BD adolescent social behavior (limited study)
Findings: "In the academic setting, they yielded significant increases in their self-esteem, appropriate peer relations, and overall self worth."
Findings: "Students were motivated and said that their learning had benefited from the use of the Whiteboard. They liked the idea of being able to see what they were supposed to be doing rather than being shown on their own computer. This links in with accelerated learning techniques involving visual rather than verbal instruction. The students said their attention was more focussed from having a large focal point and colour image within the room."
Anecdotal accounts of how electronic whiteboards have improved teaching and learning
Dr. Mary Ann Bell, Assistant Professor of Library Science at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas addresses the question: "Why do I like interactive whiteboards so much?"
FERL [a post-secondary site on the use of Information Learning Technologies] provides anecdotal evidence of the impact of electronic whiteboards
- http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=265:
- Learners show increased motivation and enjoy the interaction the technology offers
- It makes the subject come alive
- It captures the attention of learners
- It encourages the involvement of learners in the subject
- It enables tutors to use multimedia resources and the internet with a whole class
IT Learning Exchange discusses the educational valueof SMART boards.Argues that "As with all technology, it's how it's used, not the technology itself, that will ultimately determine its value for teaching and learning."
http://www.itle.unl.ac.uk/news/archive/0111141.html
Atherley School in Southampton, England describes how electronic whiteboards can benefit teaching and learning. Full text at http://www.atherley.hants.sch.uk/General_Information/Teaching_for_the_Millennium/teaching_for_the_millennium.htm
Mary Ann Bell of Baylor University conducted a study of teachers' use and perceptions regarding the interactive electronic whiteboard as an instructional tool, on the following:
- Ease of use
- Effectiveness of board as a teaching tool
- Students' responses to the Board
- Preference of whiteboard to alternative presentation methods
- Value of interactive quality of board
- Open-ended questions about notable successes with board, & what they liked best /least about the board
Back to topTeacher and student survey results can be found at http://www.smarterkids.org/research/paper6.asp#likert.
Research study results documenting the impact of electronic whiteboards on teaching and learning
Instruction
Language Arts
Math
Science
Special Needs
Student Self Efficacy
Student Perceptions